Electbic switch



Feb. 19, 1929.

' 1,702,287 w. G WILLIAMS- ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 23, 1926 :5Sheets-Sheet 1 I fizz/812701 M4275 G. ZHZZZZZZi/ls y wfwa Feb. 19, 1929.

w. G. WILLIAMS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 25. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb.19, 1929. 1,702,287

w. G. WILLIAMS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Au .2s; 192 s. s Sheets-Sheet 3PATENT OFFICE.

wsnn e. wmmms, or nnannon, w'rsconsm.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed A'ugu'st 23, 1926. Serial No. 130,800.

This invention relates to certain novel im provemen'ts in electricswitches and consists of the matters hereinafter described and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. My invention relatesmore especially to a class of electric switches wherein an auxiliaryelectric switch is associated .with a main or primary switch in suchmanner that a predetermined length of time will be caused to elapseafterthe primary switch is actuated before the translating device,electric lamp or the like included in the switch circuit is cut out bythe automatic operation of the auxiliary switch.

In a Patent No. 1,562,020 grantedto me on November-17, 1925; I show anddescribe a switch of the kind addressed to the auxiliaryswitch, that isto say, the switch member involving the time element. In theconstruction shown therein the main switch was actually shifted to openthe load circuit and "the auxiliary switch involving the time elementalone maintained the closure of the circuit until the .25 time periodhad elapsed, when it shifted to open said circuit.v The contactsmaintaining the closure of the circuit in that construction werecomparatively light and the make and break at the contacts when theswitch was shifted to open the circuit were not as quick as desired bythe underwriters in a switchof the kind. a

The object of my invention is to produce a switch mechanism, includin anauxiliary time el ment switch member, In which are included he heavycontacts for the load current and the" quick make and break at thecontacts.

provided in the normal standard snap switch.

In illustrating and describing my invention I have shown it as includingthe same time element auxiliary as that disclosed in my above mentionedpatent, but it will be under tion.

The advantages "of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed withmy specification.

In the drawings-- I Figure 1 is a view representing a'front elevation ofthe improved switch device.

5 switch mechanism representing the switch stood that this is merely byway of illustra-.

Figure 2 is a view on a somewhat larger members in different positionsas will be more clearly hereinafter described.

Figure 6 is a top plan View of the switch mechanism.

Figures 7 and 8 are detail views of the contact members of the auxiliaryswitch mecha-' nism showing them in different-positions.

Figure 9 is a detail section on an enlarged scale indicated by the line99 in Figure 3.

' Figures 10 and 11 are detail sectional views of the time element ofthe auxiliary switch mechanism shown in different positionscorresponding respectively to the positions of the contact members shownrespectively in Figures 7 and 8.

,Figures 12, 13 and 14 are diagrammatic views showing the severalpositions occupied by the different members of the switch mechanism.

Figure 15 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of certain of theparts of the switch mechanism, the plane of the section beingindicatedby the line 15-15 of Figure 2, and the parts as shown insaidsection being in the position as illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring nowto that embodiment of the invention illustrated in thedrawings, and more particularly to Figure 12, 10, 10 indicate the lineconductors of an electriccircuit in which is located the translatingdevice to be controlled, inthis case a lamp 11. The

circuit includes a standard snap switch 12 of familiar construction. 13indicates the time a 1 element member and14 indicates an electromagnetin series with'the time element member. 15 indicates a s ring-controlledtrigger which acts to lock t e snap switch against release the snapswitch, whereupon the snap switch will instantly operate under thepressure of its spring in the usual manner to open the circuit. i

The snap switch 12, the auxiliary time element switch 13 and'theelectro-magnet and its trigger 15 are mounted on a base of insulationmaterial 16.

17 indicate= an insulation arm pivoted in a frame18 mounted on theinsulation base 16. The arm extends through an aperture 19 in theinsulation base so as to be gotten at by the one operating the switch.20' indicates a U-fmme pivotally connected to the frame,18

with a spring thrust member 22 interposed between the cross-member ofthe U-bar 20 and its pivotal connection to the frame 18 in such mannerthat when the arms 21 are swung becontact member having oppositelydisposed bifurcated ends 24, 24 which engage the usual switch blades 25,26.

When the snap switch comprising the above arts is in position to closethe circuit to the lamp or other .translating device 11, the parts areas shown in Figure 3, with the main contact member 23 bridging the twocontact members 25, 26. In the ordinary operation of a snap switch ofthe kind a shift of the operating arm 17 from the position shown inFigure 3 to the position shown in Figure 5 would act to shift thecontact member 23 from the position shown in Figure 3 to the positionshown in Fi re 5, where the jaws 24 have been complete y disengaged fromthe knife contacts 25, 26. In order to make use of this snap switchmember in connection with a time element which will delay the action ofthe switch to break the contact, after .the switch arm 17 has beenshifted, the electro-magnet 14 and the trigger 15 are associated withthe snap switch in such manner that the trigger 15 will engage thecrossmember of the U-bar 20 and block its further movement (when theoperating arm 17 has been shifted to open the circuit), with the contactmember 23 still bridging the contacts 25, 26 as shown in Figure 4. Thetrigger member 15 is mounted on an angular spring 27, which in turn isattached to the frame 18 adjacent the U-bar 20. The spring 27 at onceprovides a pivot for the trigger member 15 and a s ring to maintain itwith its hooked end 15 in the path of movement of the U-bar 20. When theelectro-magnet 14 is magnetized it will attract the end of the triggerbar 15 remote from its hooked end 15 so as to swing the hooked end fromits engagement with the U-bar 20 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5.This releases the said U-bar and permits the switch to operate in itsnormal manner to snap the contact member 23 from its engagement with thecontacts 25 and 26.

The operation of the magnet 14 is controlled by the time element memberof the device. his may be any convenient element of the kind but asshown it is substantially like that disclosed in my previous patenthereinbefore referred to. It comprises a block 28 loosely mounted on a.horizontal pivot pin 29 projecting forwardly from and fixed to theinsulation base 16. The block 28 is made of any suitable material and iscored, bored or otherwise formed to provide within it two 'laterallyspaced-parallel chambers or pockets 30, 30. Said ockets extend nearlythe full len h of the block, which is flat and of but litt e greaterthickness than the diameter of the pockets 30. Said pockets open at oneend through the front edge of the block, where they areclosed by plugs31, 31 (see Figure 2). The plugs are made ofany suitable porous materialadapted to permit an inflow and outflow of air to'and from the pockets30. The pockets are connected near the bottom face of the block by atubular channel 32 extending transversel ofthe block. Near the top faceof the bloc is formeda journal opening for the horizontal pivot pin 29above referred to, the same extending parallel to the length of theblock and of the pockets 30, 30 and being located in a plane midwaybetween said pockets.

The pivot pin 29 is made of conducting metal and is fixed in theinsulation base 16. The rear end part 29 of said pin extends through thebase and constitutes one terminal of the switch. The outer end of thepivot pin has bearing in a metal conducting bushing 29 which is fixed inthe block near its edge and extends through and is connected to abifurcated contact plate 33 attached to the edge of the block. Saidcontact plate has laterally spaced tines 33, 33. In this case, inaddition to the metal contact plate 33, there is a heavier similarlyformed bifurcated insulation plate 34 having tines 34, 34 correspondingto the tines 33*, 33 of the contact plate. 5

35 indicates a contact pin carried by a horizontally swinging arm 36,which is mounted on a bracket plate 37 projecting from the base 16. Saidcontact pin projects into the space between the tines of the contactplate 33 and of the insulation plate 34 and is adapted to engage eitherof said tines. The pivotal axis of the arm 36 is located above and inthe vertical plane containing the horizontal pivot pin 29 of the block28, so that said arm is capable of swinging the contact pin 35 to eitherside of said vertical plane. By reason of the engagement of the contactpin 35 with one or the other of the tines of the insulation plate 34,the block 28 may be oscillated by means of the arm 36 to bring one orthe other of the ockets 30 to a position elevated above that 0 itscompanion pocket as shown in the drawings.-

The bracket plate 37 forms the second terminal of the auxiliary memberof the switch. The arm 36 projects through a suitable opening 38 in theinsulation base 16 beyond which it is provided with a finger piece 39for operating 1t. To aid in the movement of the arm v36 a coiled tensionspring 40 connects a lug 41 rising from thearm 36 on the forward side ofits pivotal axis with a lug 42 rising from the bracket plate. 37 on therear side of said pivotal axis. The action is such that when the arm 36is swung beyond its medial position it will snap through to the limit ofits movement in that direction in a familiar .manner. Said arm islimited in its'movement in either direction by its engagement with thebase 16: at the ends of the slot .or openin 38 therein through which thearm extend I One of the pockets 30 is fill'ed or partially filled withmercury, When the block is in a position with the pocket containing theto operate said main switch.

tain the electric circuit through the mains mercury elevated abovev thepocket containing little or no mercury, the mercury tends to flow intothe lower pocket through the channel 32 connecting said pockets. To permit this flow there is a relative displacement of air in the two pocketsand the air is exelled from the lower pocket andis drawn mto the upperpocket through the-respective porous wooden plugs 31 31 closing the endsof said pockets. The rapidity of this interchange provides the timeelement of the switch member.

The terminals of the auxiliary switch mem- 10,? and the other, namelythe'pivot..pin 29,

by a wire 44, through the electro-magnet 14 to a contact 45 adjacent thecontact 25. Said contact 45 isadapted to be engaged by the swingingcontact member 23 of the main switch when the operating arm 12 thereof'is-shifted to the position shown in Figure 4 The operation of theswitch is as follows: The arm 12 of the main switch is shifted to theposition shown in Figure 4. In this position of the parts the trigger15' engages the U-bar 20 and locks the main swinging contact member '23of the main switch with the contacts 25, 26 still bridged 'soa's to'mainto the lamp closed, The arm 360i the auxiliary time member isshifted so as to elevate the aperture of the block 28 containing. themercury to the position shown in Figure 10; that is to say, with theaperture containingthe mercury above the aperture without mercury. Inmaking this shift of the block theicontact in, 35 engages the tines ofthe bifurcated fi er or insulation member 34 and not the tines of thebifurcated contactmem ber 33, as clearly shown in Figu although byreason of the contact of the two members 23and 45 the electro-ma at isin' circuit across'the mains through e auxiliary switch device, thiscircuit is interrupted because of the en agement of the contact member35 with t e bifurcated insulation weight of the mercury in the upperaperture maintainsthis relation (as clearly apparent from an examinationof Figure 10) until an interchange of mercury hasbeen made and saidthird contact being electro-magnet, and a time element auxiliary themercury has flown to the lower chamber, whereupon the block 28 will beoverbalanced to swing it and bring theparts into the position shown inFigures 8 and 11. Here the tines of the metal contact plate 33 will engae the (pin 35 instead of the tines of the iurcate insulation member 34,thereby completing the circuit across the mains through theelectro-magnet whichis momentarily energized to operate the trigger 15and release the U-bar 20 of the main switch. Thereupon the spring-thrust member 22 throws the main switch bar 23 completely to disengageit, not only from the auxiliary contact member 45, but also from themain contact members 25 and 26, and thus opening'the apparent to thosefamiliar'with the art.- By

the novel construction the ordinary snap switch is made use of with allthe advantages it has of the board contacts and the nick make and breakrequired in a device 0 the kind. The time element member merely 'blocksthe full throw of the contact operating mechanism until the designedtime has elapsed, when the same is released and the switch is opened intheordinary manner.

I claim as my invention: Y 1. A switch mechanism comprising a snapswitch, an arm for operating the same, said snap switch comprising twofixed contacts and a spring actuated movable contact a trigger adaptedto arrestthemovement of said movable contact member in an intermediateposition while still bridging said fixed contacts, an electro-magnet forreleasin said trigger, a third contact engaged by sai movable contact insaid intermediate position, in circuit'with said switch in circuitbetween said third contact and'said electro-magnet adapted to close hecircuit to said electromagnet at the end of a time interval.

2. In combination, a snap switch, comprising an operating arm, two fixedcontacts, a movable spring-actuated contact adapted to bridge said fixedcontacts, a trigger adapted to arrest said movable contact member in its.movement to open the circuit, an electromagnet, a third contact incircuit with said electro-magnet adapted to be engaged by said movablecontact in its arrested position, and a time element auxiliary switch incircuit between said third contact and said electromagnet adapted tocomplete the circuit through said electro-magnet to energize the sameand release said trigger.

3. A switch mechanism com rising a snap switch, said snap switch incluing two fixed contacts and a spring-actuated movable contact, a triggeradapted to arrest the movement of said movable contact in anintermediate position in its movement from closed to open position whilestill bridgin said fixed contacts, an electro-magnet for re easing saidtrigger, a third contact engaged by said movable contact in saidintermediate position, said third contact being in circuit with saidelectro-magnet, and a time element automatic auxiliary switch associatedwith said electro-magnet adapted for momentarily closing saidelectro-magnet circuit at the end of a time interval.

4. In combination, a snap switch including two fixed contacts, and amovable springactuated contact adapted to bridge said fixed contacts, atrigger adapted to arrest said movable contact member in its movementfrom closed to open position while still bridging said fixed contacts,an electro-magnet, a third contact in circuit with said electro-magnetadapted to be engaged by said movab e contact in its arrested position,and a time element automatic auxiliary switch associated with saidelectro-magnet adapted momentarily to close said electro-magnet circuitat the end of a'time interval.

5. In combination with main circuit conductors and a load connectedthereto, a snap switch adapted to close said circuit, a trigger adaptedto arrest said switch in an intermediate position in its movement fromclosed to open position, an electro-magnet connected to one of said mainconductors, a contact connected to said other main conductor adapted tobe engaged by said snap switch in its arrested position, and anautomatic time element switch in circuit with said contact and with saidelectro-magnet adapted momentarily to close said electro-magnet circuitat the end of a predetermined time interval.

6. In combination with electric main con- ,ductors, a snap switchconnected across said conductors, a trigger adapted to arrest saidswitch in an intermediate position in its movement from closed to openposition, an electro-magnet connected across said main conductors, acontact included in said electromagnet circuit adapted to be included inthe switch circuit in its arrested position and an auxiliary timeelement switch included in said magnetic circuit adapted momentarily toclose said electro-magnet circuit at the end of a predetermined timeinterval.

7. In combination with main electric conductors and a load includedtherein, a snap switch, an arm for o erating the same, said snap switchcomprising two fixed contacts and a spring-actuated movable contact, atrigger adapted to arrest the movement of said movable contact member inan intermediate position while still bridging said fixed contacts, anelectro-magnet in circuit between said main conductors, a third contactincluded in said electro-magnet circuit adapted to be engaged by saidmovable contact member in its arrested position, and an automatic timeelement auxiliary switch in said electromagnet circuit adaptedmomentarily to close said elcctro-magnetic circuit at the end of apredetermined time interval.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiix mysignature this 18th day of August, A. D. 1926.

WARD G. WILLIAMS.

